Description:

The project involved adding a contemporary outdoor space to a 1920s-era home in Hamilton. The existing home lacked connection to the surrounding landscape and had no outdoor living area.

By utilising the eastern side of the home, accessible from the kitchen and dining spaces, we created an enclosed living area protected from the elements, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces.

The design enhances the home's functionality and occupants' well-being, embracing outdoor living while respecting the home's heritage.

Key features include a terracotta tiled roof matching the existing entry roof, a skylight for natural light, custom steel and glass pivot doors for airflow control, and a built-in window seat and bbq forming the fireplace hearth. Reclaimed bricks for the fireplace and sympathetic materials maintain historical coherence.

The new space promotes year-round use with a fireplace for winter warmth and the ability to open up during summer.

Challenges included proximity to the Waikato River, requiring resource consent, and ensuring the design fit the home's architecture and New Zealand's climate. The project successfully blends old and new, enhancing the home's livability and value while respecting its historical character.